How to Become an Interpretive Park Ranger

Interpretive park rangers, also commonly referred to as cultural park rangers, are responsible for providing an enlightening experience to the visitors of city, state, or nationally designated parks.

Freeman Tilden, the father of heritage interpretation, referred to interpretation as “an art which combines many arts, the chief aim of which is not instruction but provocation.” He went on to say that interpretation must relate to the “personality of experience of the visitor.”

Therefore, interpretive and cultural park rangers, through interpretation, help visitors understand and gain an appreciation, which therefore advances a park’s mission of protection. In other words, interpretation allows visitors to see the relevance in the message and importance of the parks they visit. This may include providing interpretive services for:

Historic sites

Historic monuments

Wildlife refuges

Environmental havens

Archeologically significant sites

Recreational areas

To advance the mission of the state or national park in which they work, interpretive park rangers must be able to convey the relevancy and importance of park stories and resources to visitors. Beyond the park’s borders, interpretive park rangers must also get the message of the park out to the general public by exploring methods that reach a number of demographics so as to build an active community of park goers in the coming years.

The Job Duties and Responsibilities of Interpretive and Cultural Park Rangers

Although interpretation duties may vary from one park to the next, depending on the sites, activities, and significance of the park and its resources, interpretive and cultural park rangers, whether through the National Park Service (NPS) or through state parks departments, are responsible for providing visitor services. This often includes planning and presenting programs in a variety of contexts.

Providing visitors with information about the park’s regulations and rules, and helping them obtain permits for fishing, boating, and camping, among others

Designing, planning, and providing guided walks, talks and programs

Designing, planning, and providing audiovisual presentations

Designing and planning indoor exhibits on the park’s wildlife, human history, and geology

Designing and planning outdoor exhibits that provide safety and regulatory information to visitors

Designing, planning, and providing educational programs for schools, teachers, and community groups

Designing, planning, and producing publications to visitors, specific groups, and the general public

Designing, planning and implementing special initiatives and outreach programs

Interpretive and Cultural Park Ranger Jobs at the National Park Service

The park rangers of the National Park Service (NPS) may be protective park rangers, general park rangers, or cultural/interpretation park rangers. There are three, distinct levels within the subcategory of cultural/interpretation park rangers:

Entry Level Park Ranger Interpreter – Entry-level park ranger interpreters with the NPS are responsible for serving as a source of information at kiosks, reception desks, and visitor centers. They are also stationed at various sites throughout the park. Their interpretive duties increase as they learn to develop and deliver interpretive talks.

Developmental Park Ranger Interpreter – NPS developmental park ranger interpreters take their initial competencies in the field of interpretation and use them to address organized educational groups, and present demonstrations or illustrated programs.

Interpretive and Cultural Park Rangers at State Parks Departments

A number of states employ interpretive and cultural park rangers in addition to general and/or protective park rangers, while others state require that their general park rangers engage in interpretive activities.

California, for example, employs interpretive specialists who are responsible for encouraging good conservation practices and explaining information concerning interpretive programs that focus on natural and human history. The work of these interpretive park ranger specialists includes:

Preparing information for exhibits on natural, social and cultural history

The first step to becoming an interpretive park ranger typically begins with completing a formal degree program from an accredited college or university in a field related to this profession. As such, common majors for individuals interested in becoming an interpretive park ranger are usually based in the natural sciences or earth sciences. Typical degree programs include:

Wildlife management

Resource management

Wildlife conservation management

Ecology

Archeology

Geology

Individuals who want to become interpretive park rangers with the National Park Service can meet minimum employment requirements through either related experience or through the completion of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following areas of study:

Natural resource management

Natural sciences

Earth sciences

History

Archeology

Anthropology

Park and recreation management

Law enforcement/police science

Social sciences

Museum sciences

Business administration

Public administration

Behavioral science

Sociology

Candidates with the NPS may also qualify if they possess another four-year degree, provided they have completed at least 24 semester credit hours in one or more of the above-mentioned areas of study.

Because interpretive park rangers must have a solid, working knowledge of the park, its wildlife, its environment, and its history, among others, they are typically required to attend park-specific training following the completion of standard park ranger training. Within the NPS, for example, interpretive park rangers must complete training through the NPS Interpretation and Education Career Academy.

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